In December of 2022, I was lucky to finally have a chance to travel to Seoul, South Korea. The trip was unsurprisingly life-changing, but one of the highlights was the much-awaited visit to the HYBE Insight exhibit in Yongsan. It was the culmination of approximately 2047 days, nearly 6 years of life building up to this moment. This journey began way back in May 2017, when I took a leap of faith and decided to check out music from BTS, a Korean group (Bangtan Sonyeondan, i.e Bulletproof Boyscouts), one of HYBE’s (Big Hit Entertainment back then) flagship artists who were slowly making their way into international fame. I was someone who rarely listened to music in a language I couldn’t understand or speak. My foray into K-Pop was limited to the hugely popular hit ‘Gangnam Style’ by PSY, and the handful of swoon-worthy ballads featured in Korean dramas- until BTS’ Korean language music (and consequently more of K-Pop) became an irresistible part of my world, even occupying the top spots on my Spotify Wrapped — over and above Bollywood hits that had been a part of my daily routine for decades!
People who know me, know of my immense love for BTS. I cannot go a day without sharing something about them or their music, especially in the infamous military wife era. Yet, it dawned on me that I haven’t truly taken a moment to express what truly captivated me — was it just their personalities, their stories of grit to rise, or their immense honesty and hard work? Spending an afternoon at HYBE Insight gave me a deeper perspective to fully understand and express the success story of a band that went from begging people on the streets to attend their concert for free, to selling out arenas in seconds and conquering the GRAMMY’s stage.
BTS are a seven-member piece — three rappers (Kim Namjoon a.k.a RM, Jung Hoseok a.k.a J-Hope, Min Yoongi a.k.a SUGA), and four vocalists (Kim Seokjin a.k.a Jin, Park Jimin a.k.a Jimin, Kim Taehyung a.k.a V, Jeon Jeongguk a.k.a Jungkook). Among them, J-Hope, Jimin, and Jungkook are also triple threats who are trained dancers. When performing as BTS, they move in unison. So in sync that you’d think that it’s not real. In October 2022, the band members announced that they would be completing their mandatory enlistment into the Korean military, and between late 2022 to mid-2025, the members would be exploring solo projects in phases, until they reunite. Once the initial shock settled, I couldn’t help but wonder what their music would be like as solo artists? Would it still reflect the ethos of BTS or would they set up their own identities? As of today, each of the members has released an individual piece of work and we’ve been well-fed with everything from collaborations with icons like Coldplay and Usher to reality TV, documentaries, world tours, drama soundtracks (hiatus who?)
Amidst the emotional rollercoaster of seeing the members off one by one, it has been a delight to discover their personalities and see their unique essence shine through their solo work. A testament to their work as BTS as it proves they were no fluke — they did indeed have what it takes to create highly distinct musical identities as a group and bring variety when it comes to solo endeavours, and with members being like chalk and cheese, this set up for an exciting variety in their solo work. Fitting for chapter 2 of BTS. This is something I believe Western groups tend to struggle with to date- it is often hard to distinguish an artist’s work as a solo performer once they’ve broken away from the main group or dabbled in side quests. They’re often playing it very safe and trying to create music that’s in familiar territory for fear of alienating their core fanbase. But not BTS.
HYBE Insight’s exhibit does a brilliant job of giving the audience an in-depth understanding of every step that goes into producing a single for the bands signed to their label. The music company has a bunch of in-house producers on their roster (with Chairman Bang Sihyuk, a.k.a Bang PDnim himself being a producer) as well as a host of collaborators who work with them across albums or singles. But BTS has always held the unique distinction of being actively involved in the writing and producing of their songs (unlike most other K-Pop acts) which has contributed to making them lyrical and musical experiences and not just some mass-produced tune that doesn’t speak to who they are. So much so that it has prompted thousands of fans each year to learn the Korean language to understand their music better, rather than just be passive listeners. While it was the music and tunes that drew people in, the messages behind their music prompted fans to delve deeper into how they interacted with and consumed their music as they grew older with the band.
When the band debuted in June 2013, they were mere teenagers who balanced the hectic idol trainee life with the brutal demands of a cut-throat Asian education system. Their debut album expressed their coming of age as rookies talking about the education system, the conundrums of daring to dream or not in a high-pressure world, trying to break the shackles of a classist and hierarchical society, the underdog who wishes to bloom despite hard circumstances — this was the opposite of what one expects a ‘boy band’ to sing about and when someone dares to ask me why I listen to BTS well into my 20s, I love bringing this up. They’re not simply out there to sing about puppy love.
As the members grew up and went through newer life experiences as young adults in their 20s and simultaneously living as idols with growing attention worldwide, this too translated into the themes and lyrics of the albums. BTS wrote about experiences like first love, and crushes, but also made scathing commentary on the industry judging and frowning upon them as rookies- when they were treated badly simply because they weren’t from the Big 3 labels. They sang about mental health and made veiled political commentary about a tragic event even when the government forbade it. As their music transcended borders with their international breakthrough in 2017, they went on to express what it felt like to proudly wear the badge of their Korean identity at a time when they were expected to assimilate and fit into the moulds of the Western industry. The message was loud and clear, they were not there to play by the rules of an industry that wanted to exoticize them or give them a seat at the table on their conditions. BTS paved their way as themselves and they didn’t need Western validation to fit in.
Dealing with the overwhelming levels of popularity since 2017, they were deeply honest about how they were never prepared to reach this level of fame and it came with big responsibilities as worldwide icons. Their music in 2020 reflected on this unexpected change, with psychology-heavy commentary on the perils of stardom, losing your sense of identity as you grow older, your relationship with your inner child, losing your teens and youth to the fast-paced life as an idol, and an artist’s love letter to their fans who stood by them when they wanted to quit and couldn’t see a reason to carry on when they were so tired. 2021 brought with it the melancholy and anguish of trying to grasp a sense of purpose and battling crushing levels of loneliness and despair when the world stopped without warning during the pandemic. As BTS, it was always clear that their music was meant to reflect collective universal truths, a way of telling their fans that they are not alone in what they are experiencing- what I believe propelled their music to transcend beyond barriers.
But when it came to their solo creations, the members often dug deeper into their pysche, offering an insight into thoughts and feelings that would perhaps not make their way into the world as BTS’ music. The rap line were one of the earliest to release mix-tapes years ago (Suga released them under the name AgustD — i.e Daegu Town SUGA backward), but as part of the military service hiatus, they were able to release their music as full-fledged albums.
Yoongi’s AgustD trilogy served as an outlet for him to spit fire against several circumstances that he could not have addressed directly as BTS (he does not hold back at criticizing industry peers who looked down on them). As a rapper, the lyricism and beats of course stood out and put you in a trance, however, his expertise as a storyteller shone through in the way he invented a new lore with the characters of AgustD and the Mad King to express his dissociation with growing famous and wondering if it was time to put his old self to rest, lest it became a monster. He also expressed his battle with mental health issues and shared with us the pain of fighting for his dream to be a music producer even when his family didn’t approve of it. Of days when he had to choose between taking the bus or eating a meal while struggling to make a living as a trainee. Of that fateful day when he met with an accident and continued living in pain to not lose his chance to debut. Yoongi struggled to face himself and his fears, but through D-Day, he offered us all a shoulder to cry on like an elder brother offering cathartic words and tunes to feel lighter — something he never got. The D-Day album will be close to my heart for many reasons, but more so because it put me into a peaceful trance and offered cathartic outlets in a year of complicated feelings and big life decisions. Amygdala speaks of one screaming out to their amygdala to save them from the trauma inflicted when it all gets too hard to take in, but Snooze (ft. Woosung of The Rose and the late Ryuichi Sakamoto) reminds you that there will be light at the end of the tunnel if you can muster up the courage to hold on one day at a time.
Taehyung grew up on a farm in Daegu and perhaps would not even be here if not for the coincidence of being spotted while he accompanied his friend to the audition. This countryside boy transformed into a worldwide fashionista and is sought after by the world’s biggest fashion houses and film/TV production houses waiting to cast him. In a solo discography as eclectic as his house’s interiors, he brings his hidden aspirations and childhood dreams of being a jazz saxophone star and his chill fashionista vibe to his album, Layo(v)er. He lends his soft romantic jazz-loving side to ballads like Slow Dancing and Love Me Again, and the recent single Fri(end)s. The K-Pop world is known to be extremely clique-y and it is rare to see artists from competing labels or agencies mingling with each other for fear of backlash, or worse- dating rumours. But Taehyung threw all the rules out of the window with his crossovers like In the Soop: Friendcation with the Wooga Squad (the elite friend squad with Oscar, GRAMMY nominees, Hallyu superstars and Marvel heroes— Taehyung, Choi Wooshik, Park Seojoon, Park Hyungsik, Peakboy), the reality TV series Jinny’s Kitchen where Taehyung, Seojoon and Wooshik donned the role of chef, dishwashers and staff at a pop-up Korean restaurant in Mexico. Taehyung has always been a very loveable personality that brings people together and this is reflected even in fan events like VICNIC, where he gathered hundreds of ARMYs to celebrate the release of Layo(v)er.
Social butterfly Jin collaborated with his idols, Coldplay- to write us a song of comfort and remind us it’s ok to venture into the unknown but not to forget the people who make you feel at home. Jin’s departure to the military hit us the hardest as he was the first one to leave and he did not have the time to release a full album before he left. The dread of the impending enlistment was brutal and The Astronaut could not have conveyed a more perfect message at that moment as everyone felt like the world around us was changing faster than we could handle it. He flew all the way to Argentina (or Ar-JIN-tina lol) to debut the song and say goodbye to ARMY. Jin being Jin (the comic Jin-ius but also the eldest), knew that he needed to shield the emotional fandom and released a song about tuna fish in a bid to make us laugh and left us P.S I Love You style monthly pre-recorded messages so that we would not feel lonely. His character Wootteo continues to occupy a prime position at Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour- at the drum kit and on Chris Martins’ shirt. As he makes his homecoming roughly 70 days from now, I know that a part of my heart will feel whole again to see him back, and I cannot wait to see more of his music.
J-Hope has always been a man of many facades. He can be J-Hope the fierce hip-hop rap star who will rip you apart for missing a step of the choreography, but he is also Hobi the Sunshine and fashionista who can make anyone feel at ease with just one smile. Over the years, he has given us bops like Chicken Noodle Soup and made his presence felt as an all-round rockstar at his Lollapalooza Chicago set. His album Jack in the Box was proof that he was not only the rap and dance star we knew him as, he was capable of pushing the boundaries as an artist and not afraid to sing about the most difficult things, as seen in Equal Sign, where he makes a plea for the world to unite and leave behind hate for those different from us. His latest venture, Hope on the Street (documentary streaming now on Amazon Prime) showcases his return to his roots- dancing. The earnestness of this man shows through and through — once a kid whose parents worked multiple jobs so that he can afford dance schools (hagwons) he is now giving back to the streets where he came from.
Jimin has always been one of the most ethereal vocalists in the world (yes, I said it). Jimin’s evolution through the years has been a delight to watch — he is the friend and cheerleader everyone would want. From wearing fake Chanel to being the face of Tiffany and Dior, attracting long lines of fans at any outlet- all waiting to take a photo next to his mesmerizing billboard. For someone who would always let on his happier side on-screen, Face broke that mould and brought to light his inner turmoil as a person and an artist. He gave it his all and expressed his darkest thoughts about facing loneliness, doubt, anger, isolation- screaming to be set free. But it also conveyed his desire to take the first hints of freedom and move forward. Jungkook’s solo ventures bring to the fore his teenage ambitions of being a pop star and the type-A Virgo in him of course pushed hard to make a full-length English album showcasing how far he has come since day 1 as a trainee. Jungkook grew from a Bambi-eyed 13-year-old middle-school kid with raw talent, to a bankable star who can front a Football World Cup Opening Ceremony and also shyly make 3 am ramen and fall asleep on livestream with millions of viewers. He also live-streamed a laundry session the night before he left to shoot a music video for his album. What was in the laundry? Calvin Klein of course, of which he is a global brand ambassador.
Namjoon’s work in Indigo brings his skills as a leader of BTS to the forefront with lyrics showcasing his submission to making his own path as a musician and not being a slave to the algorithm, and collaborations with stalwarts like Tablo of Epik High, Anderson Paak and Eyrkah Badu. Namjoon often dismisses himself as a rapper and not a vocalist, but his solo discography proves that he is more than capable of being a soothing voice when needed. Over the years, Namjoon has faced the responsibility and at times the burden of being a pseudo-spokesperson of the group as one of the few fluent English speakers of the group. He has often shielded the members from derogatory comments and instead translated them as encouraging ones. Namjoon happens to be a Virgo as well, which translates into him being very harsh on himself, taking the world a little too seriously- which was a whole lot for him to deal with alongside BTS’ rising fame, often setting aside one’s own feelings in favour of what is good for the group. Through his 20s, he has had to navigate his identity alongside being the leader RM of BTS. Indigo allowed an outlet to showcase his oscillating attitude towards love and relationships in this decade. The extremely Virgo side of Namjoon also shone through in his choice of activities when he appeared on the non-fiction variety show, The Dictionary of Useless Knowledge. On point for the nerdy Namjoon, whom we nearly lost to the field of Chemical Engineering. He also chose to host only one showcase for Indigo before he enlisted, an intimate 200-person event at the illustrious Rolling Hall in Seoul. It may seem trivial to many, but for him, it was the fulfillment of a childhood dream. Who would’ve thought that an underground rapper would one day make it so big? But this is RM.
All eyes will be on BTS again, starting 13 June 2024. Jin’s return to civilian life will coincide with the band’s 11th anniversary. It will be a new dawn where they will have shaken off the proverbial military sword that had been hanging over their heads for the last few years. The fandom has naturally grown in size since we’ve last seen them perform and make music together as the septet. It will still be many long months of waiting before they are united as seven. But June 2024 marks the start of chapter 3, the return and countdown to them reuniting with ARMY. The industry and haters were quick to dismiss them the second the news of their enlistment broke. Many boldly stated that they would lose their audience and relevance to other bands. But the truth remains plain as day for all to see- whether as a septet or seven individual artists, BTS has much to offer to those willing to listen, and there will never be another like them. Whether as seven together or seven individual voices, we are lucky to be alive at the same time as BTS, and we must cherish every moment with them. Their gumption and artistry made this unbelievable journey possible — from the steep hills of Nonhyeondong, Seoul to the UN, the White House, and even space. You’d be amiss to miss even a single moment of this phenomenon.
